Abstract: A method and arrangement for computer-assisted determination of clusters recognizes foaming in a washing machine. The following quantities are measured during a washing process in the washing machine; a pressure in the washing machine, a temperature in the washing machine, and an amount of water in the washing machine. Application vectors are formed from the measured quantities, and fuzzy affiliation values for predetermined clusters are identified for the application vectors. A foam formation is recognized based on the fuzzy affiliation values.

Abstract: A system for the controlled addition of detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus comprises: (a) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) an auxiliary vessel; (c) a drain line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (d) optionally but preferably, a separate vent line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (e) a detergent reservoir; and (f) a detergent supply line connecting the detergent reservoir to the auxiliary vessel. An advantage of this apparatus is that, because the detergent formulation can be pumped into the auxiliary vessel in a predetermined aliquot or amount, which predetermined aliquot or amount can then be transferred into the wash vessel where it combines with the liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, the detergent formulation can be added to the cleaning solution in a more controlled or accurate manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for allowing wheeled passage between a first surface and a second surface separated by an obstacle, the apparatus comprising a base positionable on the first surface, and a framework having a proximal end mounted to the base and a distal end positionable on the second surface, the framework movable between a collapsed condition and an extended condition defining a substantially planar support surface between the proximal and distal ends for allowing wheeled passage between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for cleaning golf balls constructed of light weight, portable type material and operable via standard battery power. The apparatus utilizes a housing having a fluid reservoir in the lower portion for holding a cleaning fluid, and a screw-type driven auger along with a pair of driven brushes and a fluid spray nozzle in the upper portion. A driven pump transports the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle, which sprays the cleaning fluid on the golf ball as the auger and brushes engage the ball and remove the soil, respectively. Multiple sensing means are employed to energize and disable the apparatus upon the occurrence of predetermined events.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of detecting the presence of a brush used in a semiconductor wafer cleaner for post-CMP processing is described. Semiconductor wafers are loaded into the wet environment of the wafer cleaner, affixed to a rotatable fixture and rotated at high speed. The rotatable fixture is effectuated by a servo motor linked to a servo controller and a torque monitor. A first torque on the rotating wafer is calculated prior to the start of the brush cleaning cycle. During the brush cleaning cycle, as the brush within the brush cleaner contacts the rotating wafer, the torque on the wafer increases and a second torque is calculated. If, during the brush cleaning cycle, the second torque calculation is substantially equal to the first torque calculation, the brush cleaner is not contacting the wafer and cleaning has not progressed. A tool user can be notified to reaffix the brush within the cleaner.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for submerged cleaning of substrates and the like. The apparatus includes a container holding a bath of cleaning fluid and, within the container, the combination of a submerged brush scrubber, submerged megasonic transducer and Marangoni drying devices. In operation, at least a portion of a substrate is submerged in the bath of cleaning fluid where its surfaces are contacted by one or more brush scrubbers while beams produced by megasonic transducers are directed parallel to the surface of the substrate along the surface of the substrate. The substrate is removed from the bath of cleaning fluid and rinsed with rinse water. A Marangoni flow is induced on the surface of the substrate and the substrate is allowed to dry through one or more means of drying, thereby rendering the substrate free from particulate contamination and dried of any residual fluid from the cleaning process.

Abstract: A grip washer includes a tubular body having a closed lower end for holding cleaning fluid and an open upper end for receiving the grips or handles to be cleaned. A helical cleaning brush with multiple turns for cleaning the grips is threaded into position in the body. A second helical brush of a single turn threaded into the body and spaced above the cleaning brush provides a splash guard function during grip cleaning.

Abstract: A three dimensional wipe pad with a superior capacity to remove contaminant solids particles from solid surfaces consists of a compressible bed of loose and discontinuous ultra-fine filaments which filaments include a significant number of sub-micron diameter microfilaments, enclosed and sealed in a pouch made from a deformable material which is permeable to the contaminant solids being removed. Rubbing a contaminated surface with the pad causes the contaminant solids to pass into the interior of the wipe where they are trapped in the interstices between the ultra-fine filaments. Liquids may be added to the pad to assist the passage of the contaminant solids particles into the interior of the pad.

Abstract: Several brush assemblies are disclosed. All employ bristle strings that include a base string connected to a plurality of monofilaments. The preferred monofilaments are nylons and other polymeric thermoplastic materials. The monofilaments may be linear segments or loop segments disposed in two rows. The bristle strings may be connected to brush bodies to form virtually any of the various types of brushes. Bristle strings employing loops may be braided together to form entangled, monofilament articles for brush or other applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning electrodes of an optical fiber splicing apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning apparatus includes a plurality of tungsten wires and a support member. The plurality of tungsten wires are coupled to the support member at a first end of the support member. The cleaning apparatus may also include a cover that is slidably disposed on the support member. The cover is slidable between a first position where the cover is disposed away from the plurality of tungsten wires and a second position where the plurality of tungsten wires are received within the cover.

Abstract: A waste remover of human waste is disclosed. The waste remover comprises a remover member and a moveable member. The moveable member is located in a tube. The tube is also coupled to a head. A remover member extends from the head.

Abstract: An automatic pane cleaning system includes a cleaning head containing at least one cleaning chamber, at least one suction chamber and at least one air supply chamber. Clean water, optionally mixed with cleaning additives, is supplied to the cleaning chamber to clean panes by means of ultrasound, rotating brushes or steam. Water is supplied through a closed air and water circuit which is connected to said chambers and by which the water loss is minimized during the supply of water.

Abstract: A bagless vacuum cleaner having a chasse, an air blower and a dust extraction and collection unit is provided. The dust extraction and collection unit has an easily removable inlet chamber and an easily removable outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is substantially cylindrical, and the outlet chamber is disposed concentrically within the upper portion of the inlet chamber. Duct work within the chasse conducts air from the base of the chasse and into the inlet chamber in tangential fashion, such that air swirls about the inside walls of the inlet chamber. Air within the inlet chamber is then allowed to escape from the inlet chamber into the outlet chamber via a plurality of small holes disposed in the side walls of the outlet chamber. Air within the outlet chamber is exhausted to the blower via a top wall opening in the outlet chamber.

Abstract: A duct cleaning device including a flexible conduit having a first end and a second end with inlets at first end and outlets at second end to allow air to circulate within the conduit. A whipper located at first end is rotated by a drive shaft, housed within the conduit, and powered by an air-activated drive system located near to the whipper at first end of the conduit. A stationary circular brush is also located around the conduit near its first end. In operation, the air-activated drive system is activated by air passing though the conduit preferably when a vacuum is applied. The vacuum is created a pressure reducing air pump To which the second end of the conduit is attached. The device may be mounted with a dolly, and displaced within a duct using rods attached to the dolly. The loosened debris generated by the action of The whipper and brush on the internal surfaces of the duct are aspirated through the inlets and into the conduit by the vacuum.

Abstract: A hinged bracket assembly comprising two elongated brackets one of which is placed inside the other with the same orientation and the two brackets being pivotally attached together on one end of the assembly. A table having a plurality of benches attached thereto comprises a plurality of the hinged bracket assemblies attached to the frame of the table and each of the benches is attached to one of the bracket assemblies to enable each bench to be rotated close to the table or away from the table in order to provide wheelchair access.

Abstract: A hinge (10) for upwardly moving and rotating a closure panel (20) of a base (14) is provided to improve access and utilization of the area covered by the closure panel (20). The hinge (10) includes two brackets, a closure panel bracket (18) mountable to the closure panel (20) and a base member bracket (12) mountable to the base (14). A cooperative tripartite set of links are disposed between the brackets and are operatively connected to a biasing member (100). The biasing member (100) urges the links to upwardly translate and rotate the closure panel bracket (18) from the base member bracket (12). The set of links include a biasing link (76), an intermediate link (74), and an anchoring link (72). The link set is adapted for cooperative movement so as to facilitate an upward rotational and translational progression of the closure panel (20) in relation to the base (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a carding machine having a drum with a drum fitting and a plurality of card flats wherein each card flat is provided with a card flat fitting. A predetermined distance between the drum fitting and the card flat fittings is adjusted by conditioning the running surfaces of the card flats.

Abstract: A tie down for securing a rope. The tie down has a tapered channel for retaining one end of a length of rope, and a channel with a series of teeth on opposite ends of the channel for securing the other end of the rope. By selecting a portion of the rope to be secured in the channel, a user can form a loop in the rope which can be used to tie down or secure a variety of objects.

Abstract: A band clamp for pipe joints is disclosed comprising a band with confronting sidewalls when wrapped around pipes to be coupled. The clamping mechanism includes a pair of force bars outboard of the sidewalls and a spline with concave surfaces on opposite sides, the spline being disposed between the end flanges. A bolt extends through bolt holes and draws the flanges against the spline to stretch the band around the pipes when the bolt is tightened against the force bars. The sidewalls have lateral flanges which overhang the spline to arrest movement of the sidewalls relative to the spline to obtain alignment of the bolt holes when the clamp is tightened. In some embodiments, the band is folded back on itself to form a double thickness which extends from the upper end of each sidewall to a point beyond the lower end of the sidewall and provides an inverted flap sandwiched between the clamp band and the pipe. The inverted flap may be secured to the band by mechanical interlock between the layers.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: An inexpensive burial vault is composed of two substantially identical modular enclosure segments which, when joined together, from an enclosed space in which a decedent confinement chamber may be placed. Each modular enclosure segment is composed of a bottom panel, anterior and posterior head panels, and a left and night side panel. The head panels and side panels are connected to the bottom panel with a slight flare outward, or inscribed angle between the bottom panel and the connected panels a little more than perpendicular.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating wing panels from a plurality of elongated wing planks attached together with splice stringers along adjacent longitudinal edges and stiffened with stringers parallel to each other and to the splice stringers includes a fixture having a series of headers on which the planks can be assembled and held at the desired curvature with attachment devices for holding the planks as assembled on the fixture. An elevator supports the fixture in an elongated pit for precise adjustment in a generally vertical direction of the fixture and the assembled wing planks. A stringer positioning device is mounted along one longitudinal edge of the pit for positioning a stringer loaded thereon against the assembled wing planks accurately in accordance with the wing design. A downwardly opening yoke having two arms depending from a top cross member is suspended over the pit on a support structure.

Abstract: A tool which has the capability of removing the nut from both large and small nut plate assemblies. The tool comprises a handle having a removal nose portion at one end, the nose portion having an upper jaw portion separated from a lower jaw portion by an opening. The upper jaw portion is used to pry open the nut plate cage and the lower jaw portion pushes and lifts the nut from the cage. The space between the two jaw portions enables a pivoting action around the pried open cage wall.

Abstract: A hose preparation apparatus and method therefor including a supporting device for supporting at least one hose. A printing device is positioned adjacent to the supporting device for printing a symbol on a hose supported by the supporting device. A trimming device is positioned adjacent to the supporting device for trimming a hose supported by the supporting device. The apparatus and method can also include a clipping apparatus, a capping apparatus and an inspecting apparatus.

Abstract: A method of assembling an electromagnetic flow sensor which includes a length of tubular material (referred to herein as a “spool”) (1) intended to be fitted with a tubular insert (2) that is anchored relative to the spool once the spool is fitted into the pipeline. Sealing is preferably achieved by means of extensions of the insert material (typically elastomer) intended to be trapped between end fittings of the spool and abutting ends of the pipeline and secured when the spool is connected in fluid-tight manner to the pipeline. The insert is preferably reinforced against deformation under the application of pressure, and this can be achieved by incorporating one or more bands (4) of suitable material into the insert.

Abstract: A method of making high current capacity electrical coil wherein the coil elements are stamped out from a plate or sheet of conductive material with mating male and female formations or mating butt-joints at opposite ends so that the formations of adjacent elements can be fitted together and fusion bonded to form a helix. The latter is coated by powder coating techniques to insulate the coil.

Abstract: A device for detaching a suspension assembly, adapted to support a head, staked to an actuator arm of an actuator block of a disc drive. The device includes an expandable device operable between an insertion dimension and a deswaging dimension having a flanged end defining a deswaging surface for forcing the stake from a hole of the actuator arm. In the insertion dimension, the device being sized for insertion through channels of tubular stakes for placement relative to an extended end of the stake. The device being expanded to the deswaging dimension, so that the deswaging surface of the flanged end aligns with an end surface of the stake for removing the stake from the actuator block.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic recording head utilizing a timing based servo pattern is fabricated using a focused ion beam (FIB). The recording head is fabricated by sputtering a magnetically permeable thin film onto a substrate. A gap pattern, preferably a timing based pattern, is defined on the thin film and the FIB cuts a gap through the thin film based on that pattern. Once completed, the recording head is used to write a servo track onto magnetic tape. The timing based servo track then allows for the precise alignment of data read heads based on the positional information obtained by a servo read head which scans the continuously variable servo track.

Abstract: A method for producing an electric resistor, in particular a resistance strain gauge, in which an insulating layer and a resistive layer are sequentially applied to a carrier element. The insulating layer or the resistive layer is applied to a backing sheet, the side of the backing sheet carrying the insulating or resistive layer being covered with a flexible film layer whose adhesion to the insulating layer or resistive layer is stronger than the adhesion of the backing sheet to the insulating layer or resistive layer. The film layer with the insulating or resistive layer is peeled off of the adhesive backing sheet and applied to a carrier element, which is heated to burn off the film layer and sinter on the insulating or resistive layer.

Abstract: A scissors-like handle tool manipulates a ZIF socket having a cover slidably engaged with a bottom, between a loosened status and a tightened status. The handle tool comprises a first lever arm pivotably connected to a second lever arm. The handle tool is operated by encountering two lower ends of the first and second lever arms with two movable sides of the socket via a pivot operation of the handle tool thereby moving the cover of the ZIF socket along the bottom.

Abstract: Production of low oxygen forms of tantalum and other refractory metals providing hydrided powder of the metal, forming a tube (10), pouring the metal into the tube, dehydriding the powder in the tube and sealing the tube and extruding to form a rod encased in the tube and further fabricating the rod.

Abstract: A PCB package for shielding electromagnetic radiation from exiting or entering the package. In one embodiment the package includes first and second electrically conductive covers and first and second electrically conductive frames. The first frame electrically connected to the first cover and the second frame electrically connected to the second cover. The first frame is then electrically connected to the second frame. The first and second frames can be made of electrically conductive plastics or metals or any other electrically conductive materials. Methods of assembling the packages of the various embodiments are also set forth.

Abstract: A press-fitting unit includes a vertically movable press blade for press-fitting a stripped end of an electrical wire to a terminal disposed in a connector. A connector retaining bar movable in a horizontal direction is disposed to be opposed to the press blade. The retaining bar is provided with a plurality of connector receiving recesses in parallel to respectively hold a connector with a press-fit terminal. A wire chuck is disposed so as to opposing to the rear part of the press blade. The wire chuck is horizontally movable along a horizontal guide to a side of the press blade so as to holding the wire. Alternatively, the connector retaining bar is fixed to the apparatus by a frame and a transfer mechanism can carry the press-fitting unit along the bar in a horizontal direction. In addition, the apparatus may have a pair or two pairs of the upper and lower symmetrical press-fitting units; and the connector retaining bar is disposed between the upper and lower press-fitting units.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a connector for coupling with a counter connector having an array of pairs of contacts therein includes providing an insulated housing having an array of openings receiving a plurality of first contact modules each having first and second isolated contacts and a second contact module having isolated first and second conducting members respectively having first and second contacts and a terminal, and a third contact and a second terminal, selectively inserted into corresponding openings of the insulating housing such that each of the respective first and second contacts of the first contact modules are connected with the corresponding contact of the counter connector while maintaining the first and second contacts electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: A process of the kind used for producing or repairing a turbine or compressor or fan blade by laser consolidation wherein a laser beam is moved relative to a metal surface and a stream of metal is supplied to the surface via a supply tube, so that said laser beam melts a thin layer of the metal substrate and also melts the metal being delivered to the substrate and thus forms a band of fused metal on said surface, the process being repeated until a desired blade is built up or repaired. The invention is characterized in that the laser beam is orientated at an acute angle to the surface. The supply tube may deliver the metal substantially along a path normal to the surface, with the laser beam being one of a plurality of laser beams each orientated at an acute angle to the surface and spaced around the supply means.

Abstract: Fins and tubes are brazed by brazing material spread on the inside of bent portions. As the interval between the fins and the tubes does not increase upon melting the brazing material, the tubes and the fins can be easily piled and assembled with each other, and the operability in assembling a heat exchanger can be improved. Further, as the brazing material remains mainly around the bent portions, most parts of the fins and the tubes are not covered with the brazing material, and there is no diffusion of the brazing material at the heating of the brazing step. Accordingly, heat exchanging performance of the heat exchanger can be improved, and even if the thickness of the fins and that of the tubes are reduced, the occurrence of the erosion can be prevented.

Abstract: A multi-purpose tool assembly enables replaceable attachment of any one of a plurality of tools having the same or different function to a single tool handle assembly. The tool handle assembly is constructed from a U-shaped frame member supporting a pivotable plate which is operative for clamping the shank portion of a tool to the frame member. A plurality of tools may be packaged with a tool handle assembly in the nature of a kit.

Abstract: A portable saw includes a saw unit that has a motor and a saw blade. The motor rotatably drives the saw blade. A base is adapted to rest on a workpiece to be cut. The saw unit is vertically movable relative to the base to vary a cutting depth into the workpiece. A cover prevents cutting chips from scattering to the surrounding area and is pivotable about a pivotal axis that is the same as the rotational axis of the saw blade. A control device controls the pivotal position of the cover in response to the vertical position of the saw unit relative to the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring three-dimensional volumetric errors in a multiaxis machine tool is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a kinematic ball bar provided with two balls at both ends thereof as a basic construction. A U-shaped bar with two extension arms is integrated with the ball bar. A vertical post is positioned relative to the U-shaped bar and is integrated with one of the two balls. A sleeve is fitted over the post and two guide bars is fixedly and longitudinally assembled with an external surface of the sleeve at opposite positions. Each of the guide bars is provided with a slot at a lower portion thereof for movably receiving an operating pin.

Abstract: A gage assembly is provided that is capable of simulating the functional environment of a molded component, such as a dust boot. The assembly includes a gage body, a collar unit, and a mating boss adapter. The collar unit includes a collar that is adapted to be secured to the gage body and is adapted to secure a specimen. The collar unit includes a stud having an upper portion and a lower portion, said stud being adapted to secure the specimen being inspected. The mating boss adapter is adapted to be installed over said collar unit and secure the specimen so that a portion of the collar unit and a portion of the mating boss adapter contact the specimen and simulate the intended functional environment of the specimen. A method for forming a gage assembly in accordance with the principles of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gauging or measuring head for the linear dimension checking of mechanical pieces, including a casing (1), an arm (49) carrying a feeler (67) for contacting a piece to be checked, a fulcrum (74), coupled to the casing (1) and the arm (49), for enabling displacements of the arm (49) with respect to the casing (1), a return spring (95) for keeping the feeler (67) in contact with the piece during the checking, a device (98, 100) for retracting the arm (49) and a position transducer providing signals depending on the position of the arm (49) with respect to the casing (1). The fulcrum is made of a deformable element (74) including two coupling blocks (81, 83) and three laminae (75, 77, 79) permanently secured to the blocks (81, 83), and substantially arranged in two different planes of a sheaf of planes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital cable extension transducer, which is an integral structure of a spool, a spiral spring, a cable guide assembly and a magnet-detecting element for directly sending out a digital signal of a displacement of the monitored object. A circuit board is mounted on a bottom plate of the housing for further data transmission. With the pulleys in the cable guide assembly, the cable extends and winds orderly around the spool. A baffle is provided for shielding both the spool and three pulleys of the cable guide assembly, thereby, to prevent the extended cable derailing from the pulleys when the extended cable releases at high acceleration or loosens by accident.

Abstract: A spin processing apparatus can prevent contamination of workpieces by wear particles, and can operate at high efficiency while lowering the noise level associated with the operation of the apparatus. The spin processing apparatus includes a chamber, a spin holder disposed inside the chamber for holding workpieces, and driver device for rotating the spin holder. A supporting device is provided for rotatably supporting the spin holder in a non-contact manner through a magnetically-operated mechanism.

Abstract: A hair dryer in accord with the invention includes a hood, two staggered or asymmetrically placed fans in a base, and an airflow conduit therebetween. The hood of the device may also have an adjustable vent for regulating the amount of air delivered to the head. Moreover, the hood may be secured to the base so as to close the device into a compact form for carrying and storage.

Abstract: The machine (1) includes a tunnel structure (2) which defines a chamber (8) with inclined, downwardly converging longitudinal side walls (9) and in which a substantially horizontal conveyor (10) for conveying a layered flow of shredded tobacco (T) from the input end (6) to the output end (7) of the chamber (8) extends adjacent the lower edges (9b) of the converging side walls (9).

Abstract: A method employed to dry a copper foil having been subjected to various surface treatments, which method comprises irradiating at least one surface-treated side of the copper foil with near infrared rays to dry the copper foil, and an apparatus suitable to the method. The drying of the copper foil having undergone surface treatments can be accomplished by a simple apparatus with low electric power while controlling the heating of the surface of the copper foil so that the drying temperature can be held at 100° C. or higher at which a eutectic alloying of rust preventive metal and copper foil, for example, alloying (brass formation) of zinc and copper on the surface of the copper foil is effected.

Abstract: A substrate transporting device and method 19 transports a plurality of wafers W standing upright in a row, from a previous process, i.e., a cleaning process. A substrate holder 40 is carried by a transporting device 50 arranged outside a drying chamber 20. The substrate holder 40 receives the wafers W from the substrate transporting device 19 while maintaining a posture of the wafers W. The transporting device 50 lowers the substrate holder 40 and sequentially moves it into the drying chamber 20 through an unloading and loading port 21 above the drying chamber 20. Thereafter, the substrate holder 40 is fixed to a rotor 30. After closing the unloading and loading port 21 with a lid body 25, the rotor 30 is rotated. In this way, moisture sticking to surfaces of the wafers W is eliminated.

Abstract: In the case of a drying apparatus for the drying of bulk material, more especially synthetic resin granules or powder, the volume flow rate setting means (11) comprises at least two flow through off/on means, which are arranged in at least two duct branches (22), connected in parallel, of the gas supply duct (10) and are able to be switched over by the switching and regulation means (2) between an opened and a closed position so that the drying gas volume flow introduced into the receiving space (3) is set by the number and/or selection of the opened flow off/on means.

Abstract: A combined pronation and supination control plantar insert for shoes comprising posture control elements adapted to correct and/or modify the posture of the entire tendon, bone and muscle structure of the body, both laterally and medially and both for talipes equinus and for talipes calcaneus. The plantar insert allows to correct the main postural defects involving mastication, cervical structures, the spinal column, hips, ankles and feet.

Abstract: A two-piece orthotic insert assembly. A post member is fixedly mounted in the heel end of a shoe, and has a generally concave bearing surface. A separate plate member is placed in the shoe so that the heel end thereof rests in the post, the heel cup of the plate member having a generally convex lower bearing surface which engages the concave bearing surface in the post member so as to permit a predetermined range of pivoting motion between the two pieces. The concave upper bearing surface of the post member defines a generally U-shaped bearing area which supports the rear foot portion of the plate at a predetermined angle for heel strike. Following heel strike, the plate member pivots so as to permit a controlled amount of pronation of the foot.